In 2005, the unions and opposition picked those debate days to launch violent protests on Independence Hill in Belmopan. The unions might be warming up to that again. At a meeting called this afternoon in the BTL-Constitution Park, Trade Union Congress leaders told members that they've given government an ultimatum and a deadline. Their demand is simple really - it is for government to ensure that BTL re-instates Christine Perriot and the other three BTL union members who were terminated. The deadline is Monday afternoon. The NTUCB's General Secretary Dylan Reneau told us more.
Dylan Reneau, NTUCB
"This will be a non ending process that we are going towards ensuring that Christine is reinstated and the other three workers at BTL are re-instated."
Keith Swift,
This sounds to me like an ultimatum.
Dylan Reneau,
"Yes I have the press release in which we are saying by midday Monday we want the government of Belize to ensure the reinstatement or the workers or we will step up the actions. We will build up and this is one move to start the buildup towards a stronger, more forceful move towards ensuring our decision is taken."
Keith Swift,
Do you realistically think Mr. Ashcroft will listen and rehire these employees?
Dylan Reneau,
"Mr. Ashcroft have to understand that we have a government and that government has the authority of law and they can act. And if they are not willing to act, then we will have to deal with them."
While BTL is a private company, the union says that under the ILO Convention, which Belize is a signatory to, government can secure the reinstatement of employees who have been dismissed due to their legitimate trade union activities. BTL stated earlier this week that Christine Perriot wasn't terminated because of her position as secretary general of the Communication Workers Union - but because she was hostile to management and shareholders.
And on an ending note - last night when the unions called for a boycott of all of Michael Ashcroft's business interests, the list included the Radisson Fort George Hotel. Today the hotel's general manager James Scott responded angrily. In a press release he wrote that Michael Ashcroft is not a shareholder in the Radisson. Scott ended by putting the unions on notice that, "we will hold them responsible for any loss suffered.....as a result of their actions...and (that) the matter is now in the hands of our attorneys."
